Soaking up the sunshine

Sunny Orange Stays
Aerial view of Clearwater Beach, Florida
Beach Parking Guide

Parking at Clearwater Beach & the Gulf Beaches

Every public lot, garage, and free parking spot near our rentals on one map, plus current rates for every beach town and the apps that make paying painless.

Where to park when you visit the beach

Parking is the one part of a Gulf Coast beach day that takes a little planning. The good news: when you stay with Sunny Orange Stays, most of our rentals include free private parking, so you only ever pay to park when you venture out. And when you do, the beaches are ringed with public lots, garages, and metered spaces that all take a quick phone payment.

The map below shows every public parking option near our rentals, from the big garages on Clearwater Beach to the beach-access lots down the barrier islands. Below the map you will find current rates for each beach town, how to pay, and local tips for scoring a spot on busy days.

Free at your rental

Most Sunny Orange Stays homes include free private parking, so the meter only runs when you go exploring.

Pay by phone

Nearly every beach town here uses the ParkMobile app, so you can start, top up, and stop parking from your towel.

Lots & garages

From the Clearwater Beach garages to John's Pass and the beach-access lots, there are far more options than most visitors realize.

Timing is everything

Arrive before 10 AM on weekends and you will have your pick. After noon in season, ride the trolley instead.

Our rentals and public parking, on one map

Orange markers are Sunny Orange Stays rentals. The P markers are public parking: teal for garages, purple for paid lots and metered spaces, and green for free public parking. Tap a marker for details, and use the toggles to focus the map.

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Parking locations are sourced from OpenStreetMap and shown for guidance. Rates, hours, and rules are set by each city and can change, so always check posted signage when you park.

Parking rates by beach town

Each city sets its own rates and they have been rising across Pinellas County, so here is where things stand as of mid-2026. Posted signage always wins.

Clearwater Beach

$3.50/hr lots · $4/hr street

City lots and three garages serve the beach, with pay-by-plate kiosks, pay-by-text, and ParkMobile everywhere. The Pier 60 lot is the most convenient and the first to fill; the garages are your best bet on busy days.

Sand Key Park

$6/day

The county-run park just south of Clearwater Pass has a large lot with automated pay stations and a flat daily fee. One of the best value beach days on the coast, with shade, picnic shelters, and a wide quiet beach.

Indian Rocks Beach

$4.50/hr

New for 2026: the city introduced paid parking at its public beach accesses, enforced 8 AM to 10 PM, seven days a week, paid through ParkMobile. The many small street-end accesses along Gulf Boulevard share the same system.

Madeira Beach & John's Pass

$4/hr

All city-owned spaces and lots charge one flat hourly rate, payable by ParkMobile, kiosk, or phone. The John's Pass Village lots are the busiest in town; enforcement there is prompt, so keep your session topped up.

Treasure Island

$5–$5.50/hr lots

City lots run $5 per hour on weekdays and $5.50 on weekends and holidays, with Sunset Beach street parking a notch higher at $6 to $6.50. Pay by ParkMobile or text-to-park.

St. Pete Beach

$5–$6/hr

Now the priciest parking on the Pinellas coast: $5 per hour Monday to Thursday and $6 Friday to Sunday, with rates a dollar higher during the February to April peak season.

How to pay, and how to win at beach parking

Paying is the easy part. Almost every city on this stretch of coast has standardized on the same app, and a few local habits will save you real money and time.

  • Download ParkMobile before you arrive. Clearwater, Indian Rocks Beach, Madeira Beach, Treasure Island, and St. Pete Beach all use it for lots, garages, and street parking. Kiosks and pay-by-text work too.
  • Arrive before 10 AM on weekends and any day in spring. The Pier 60 lot and John's Pass fill first; the garages and the lots a block or two back fill last.
  • Park once, then ride. The Jolley Trolley and Suncoast Beach Trolley run the whole coast for $5 a day per group of four. Leave the car at your rental and skip parking entirely.
  • Look for the green markers on the map above: genuinely free public parking still exists, especially at neighborhood beach accesses north of the main drags.
  • Check your rental's listing first. Most of our homes include free private parking for at least one car, and many fit more.

Skip the meters entirely

Book a rental with free parking, walk to the sand, and ride the trolley when you roam. Your vacation budget will thank you.

Browse vacation rentals See the trolley guide

Frequently asked questions

How much does parking cost at Clearwater Beach?

City beach lots are $3.50 per hour and on-street metered spaces are $4 per hour, paid via ParkMobile, kiosk, or pay-by-text. The three public garages are the most reliable option on busy days. Rates are set by the City of Clearwater and can change, so check posted signage.

Is there free parking at Clearwater Beach?

Very little on the beach itself, but free public spaces do exist nearby, especially at small neighborhood beach accesses along the barrier islands. The green markers on our map show free public parking. Staying at a rental with included parking is the most dependable way to park free.

What app do I use to pay for beach parking?

ParkMobile covers nearly every city on this coast: Clearwater, Indian Rocks Beach, Madeira Beach, Treasure Island, and St. Pete Beach. Download it before you arrive, add your plate, and you can start or extend a session from anywhere.

Does my vacation rental include parking?

Most Sunny Orange Stays rentals include free private parking for at least one vehicle, and many accommodate more. Each property listing spells out exactly how many spaces are included, so check the listing or ask us before you book if you are bringing multiple cars.

Where should I park for John's Pass Village?

Use the city lots at John's Pass in Madeira Beach at $4 per hour, paid through ParkMobile or the kiosks. They fill quickly on weekends and enforcement is prompt, so arrive early or top up your session from the app while you shop and eat.

Is it easier to just skip driving to the beach?

Often, yes. If you are staying at one of our rentals near the sand, you can walk. For everything else the Jolley Trolley and Suncoast Beach Trolley run the length of the coast for $5 a day for a group of up to four, which is less than two hours of parking in most beach lots.

Stay where parking is already included

With 93 rentals across 8 Gulf Coast communities, most with free private parking, the easiest parking spot on the beach is the one at your own vacation rental.

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Sunny Orange Stays

We Have a New Name!

Florida Vacation Rental Company is now Sunny Orange Stays. Fresh name, fresh look — but the same family-owned company, the same commitment to exceptional guest experiences, and the same beautiful Gulf Coast properties you love.

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